Physical Therapy Assistant Practice Exam 2026 - Free PTA Practice Questions and Study Guide

Bronchoscopy involves the inspection of the tracheobronchial tree, which includes the trachea and the branching airways leading to the lungs. This procedure is performed using a bronchoscope, a thin, flexible tube equipped with a light and camera that allows healthcare professionals to visualize the inner lining of the airways. It is critical for diagnosing conditions such as infections, tumors, or obstruction in the airways, and can also facilitate procedures like biopsies or the removal of foreign objects.

Understanding that bronchoscopy is primarily a diagnostic tool helps to clarify its purpose in respiratory care. While measuring lung capacity, assessing blood gases, and performing lung surgery are all important components of pulmonary function and treatment, they are distinct from what bronchoscopy entails. Specifically, bronchoscopy does not directly measure lung capacity nor assess blood gases, and it is not a surgical procedure, even though it can be a step leading to some interventions.